Quilt No.1017LR - Lois Ryan

Lois Ryan
Owner: 
Lois Ryan
Location: 
WA Perth
Maker
Maker: 
Elizabeth Emma White
Made in
AUSTRALIA SA
Date: 
1901 - 1920
Description: 
Log Cabin quilt made from a variety of cottons and silks. There is no padding and the backing is calico bags. 1500 x 1250 mm.
History: 

Quilt made in 1910 in Swan Reach SA, by Elizabeth Emma White, for her grandson William Maurice Collins. It is now owned by his daughter Lois Ryan. The quilt has never been used as it was never finished.

Story: 

"The quilt belonged to my father. His name was William Maurice Collins. He was born 3rd November 1910 in Mannum, South Australia and died November 1996 in Kalamunda WA. It was made for him by his grandmother, Elizabeth Emma White in 1910 - the year that Dad was born. She made a quilt for each of her grandchildren - Dad had seven brothers and sisters and I'm not sure how many other grandchildren there were. Granny White was born in Australia on 8th May 1853 and died on 27th July 1940. Her parents came from England (they came from a family of lacemakers) but her father was a tailor in Australia. Apparently there were boats that carried fabric (and other supplies) up the Murray River and Granny White may have bought the materials from there to make her quilts - we don't know that. She lived out in the country just out of Swan Reach in South Australia." [Lois Ryan]

Lois Ryan with quilt
Lois Ryan with quilt

Related Quilts:

National Gallery of Australia
"The quilt consists of 12 blocks of crazy patchwork with an embroidered border. The quilt is made of 167 different fabrics; most of these are silk. These velvets, printed silks and satins are beautifully embroidered with flowers, household items and Kate Greenway images of children at play. Many of the motifs have a strong influence from the Aesthetic Movement. The edge of the quilt carries a border in maroon silk decorated with tendrils and daisies in very fine embroidery.
The patches are joined with hand sewing and embroidery, however the 12 panels are joined with machine stitching (chainstitch machine stitching). The blue silk lining was hand sewn into position with silk thread." [NGA]
"The quilt does consist of three layers but the central layer is not padding. The crazy patch pieces were sewn together and this was lined with white cotton fabric prior to the embroidery at the edges of the 12 panels being placed. This in turn was lined with a fine blue silk." [NGA] 1810 x 1460 mm
Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Burnett
Tumbling Block quilt made from pure silk ribbons, patterned and plain. The quilt edge follows the block shapes. The backing is polished cotton printed with flowers.
2743 x 2439mm
Barbara Levy
"The quilt is made up of many cotton hexagons of various colours, patterns and designs, finely sewn by hand, making a very attractive bedspread. Each patch is lined with lawn. It is quite a heavy quilt, with its plain border, and backing of home-spun cotton or cesarine. The family always called it a 'cottage design'."
No quilting.
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Sallie Cross
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1600 x 1500mm
Barbara McCabe
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Ruth Hansen
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